Watchyourownbobber Proves More Than Ready

A weather delay of about 15 minutes didn't bother Watchyourownbobber in the More Than Ready Mile Stakes, as the even-money favorite scored a 4 1/2-length victory in the one-mile test Sept. 10 at Kentucky Downs. 

A successful 2014 claim for owners Ken and Sarah Ramsey, Watchyourownbobber extended his win streak to three. He entered off stakes victories at Mountaineer Casino, Racetrack and Resort and Indiana Grand Racing and Casino.

Winning trainer Mike Maker was concerned that the pre-race storm could lead to a cancellation at the all-turf Kentucky Downs. The track opted to wait out a storm that brought high winds and rain before the More Than Ready.

"I've been here too many times when they pulled the plug," Maker said. "He ran big. Watching the race, you just hope he handles it (the course). He shows up every time."

Keeneland's grade I Shadwell Turf Mile is the former claimer's next objective. "He's earned his chance," Maker added.

Watchyourownbobber and Julien Leparoux, just back from a wrist injury, tracked in second as Songsational opened a clear lead through a quarter-mile in :27.21 and a half-mile in :49.87 on the hilly course. Watchyourownbobber engaged the front-runner through six furlongs in 1:14.05 and drew off in the stretch on the yielding course.

Leparoux took off his non-stakes mounts Saturday at Kentucky Downs; he originally was slated to ride in eight races.

"I didn't want to ride that much coming right back," Leparoux said. "The wrist is good, but I didn't want to do too much."

Watchyourownbobber, a 4-year-old Hard Spun   colt, completed the mile test in 1:38.94, pulling away from runner-up Songsational in the stretch. 

"It was a good trip, as expected," Leparoux said. "I was hoping to lay second behind Florent (Geroux, on Songsational) and that's how he went and after that he travelled good and won very easily. It went perfect. (The track) is definitely soft, the main thing is that we keep them together so that they don't slip.

"Hopefully everybody does the same for the rest of the races. It's great to win these kind of races, especially coming back from my injury, so it's good to be back winning."

John Fielding and Frederic Hertrich II's Songsational earned his first stakes placing while grade II-placed stakes winner Thatcher Street rallied for third. The race for 3-year-olds and older saw six starters after Wesley Ward opted to scratch Chiltern Street and 2014 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf (gr. IT) winner Hootenanny.

The winner returned $4, $2.80, and $2.20 across the board; Songsational paid $4.80 and $3.20 for the minor placings. Thatcher Street returned $2.60 to show.